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Summary: A true goldmine for professional, student, or instructor!
Review: A fount of wisdom and research, this book is the finest of it's kind I have ever found. I reccomend it as essential reading to my students, and have personally found it a life preserver of honesty. Little guideance is given to artists at the beginning of their careers, in or out of school, and they often use myths and stereotypes to guide them. Without sentimentality this book cuts to the reality of what is essential and what is rubbish. The chapter on Artists and Teachers is a revelation of hard won insight about this eternally frustrating yet essential stage in an artist's development. It has made me a better teacher. Up to date on the art marketplace, this book is also a consice reading of fascinating research that has been done on the professional development of artists. While many books seem to offer either ameturish feel good ideas about developing "creativity", or dry business practices advice, Dunning has written a book for pursuing professional success, economically and artistically.His efforts are an enormous gift to thoes who would pursue this most difficult of paths.
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Summary: Very insightful
Review: After having worked for a sucessful artist, what Dunning explains is very right on track. I highly recommend this book to whomever may be thinking of getting into the art world.
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Summary: Enjoyed this a lot
Review: Easy to read, excellent advice, straightforward and practical. Anyone interested in an art career would benefit from reading this book.
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Summary: Must read for art students
Review: Excellent advise, concise and well written. Highly recommended.
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Summary: Must read for art students
Review: I had the privilage of studying with Dr. Dunning the last two quarters of his teaching career. I can only give the highest praise for this book. Dr. Dunning's knowledge is supported by experience, not only his own, but that of the thousands of students he has prepared for sucessful careers in the art world. The advice he gives in this book is the same that he has taught to university art students for over 30 years. The stories he tells are real, the analogies varied and all sucessfully illustrate his points. This isn't a book full technical terms, but one written for anyone to read and understand (and often even laugh with). Though written from the perspective of a painter, Dr. Dunning's knowledge and insights are very applicable to any of the fine arts as well as disciplines outside the art world. The information on setting up your studio alone is well worth the price of the book. Save yourself the costly expense and time of making avoidable mistakes and learn from Dr. Dunning's vast knowledge. Read this book!
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Summary: A Must for Career Artists!
Review: I had the privilage of studying with Dr. Dunning the last two quarters of his teaching career. I can only give the highest praise for this book. Dr. Dunning's knowledge is supported by experience, not only his own, but that of the thousands of students he has prepared for sucessful careers in the art world. The advice he gives in this book is the same that he has taught to university art students for over 30 years. The stories he tells are real, the analogies varied and all sucessfully illustrate his points. This isn't a book full technical terms, but one written for anyone to read and understand (and often even laugh with). Though written from the perspective of a painter, Dr. Dunning's knowledge and insights are very applicable to any of the fine arts as well as disciplines outside the art world. The information on setting up your studio alone is well worth the price of the book. Save yourself the costly expense and time of making avoidable mistakes and learn from Dr. Dunning's vast knowledge. Read this book!
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Summary: Interesting and redundant
Review: I thought that Dunning had some good advice, however I became more and more uninterested in his book because he talks about subjects that deal only to painters. I think that this book is great for and should be used for painters, it gives a lot of helpful insights. I don't think that applies to computer artists.
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Summary: BUY THIS BOOK! Essential for ANY creative being
Review: I wish I had read this book five years ago when I entered art school. Many lessons I learnt from the world of hard knocks are very intelligently and caringly explained in this book. I've had so many profound realizations at every page its amazing. This is not a "feel good" self help book, but a well written honest distillation of wisdom gather by an artist and teacher over several decade. If you want to nurish you creative soul BUY THIS BOOK!!
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Summary: Very Inspirational
Review: Mr. Dunning brings art to the forefront with his practical approach to aesthetics, postmodernism, color theory, and being in business (to name just a few). I read this book for a Computer Imaging class at Northern Arizona University, and the thoughts and discussions it provoked were extremely worthwhile....not just for basic knowledge, but for understanding ourselves and expressing ourselves through our art. Thank you, Mr. Dunning...I'm reading your Postmodernist Theory next!
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Summary: This book had some good points.
Review: The book I had to read for computer imaging 3, at Northern Az. University by William Dunning, was ok. I thought he went in circles in trying to explain what he was trying to get across. When he stateda point then he went back on it a few pages later. Other than that I thought he had a few good ideas, some that I may use in the future.
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